Systems and apparatus for controlling lighting based on combination of inputs

Abstract

Disclosed are lighting fixtures and lighting systems for controlling lighting based on a combination of inputs. The lighting fixtures may comprise a light source, inputs electrically connectable to sensors for sensing daylight, occupancy and environmental conditions, inputs electrically connectable to a group lighting controller output, a memory, and a lighting controller for controlling the dimming state of light sources based on received inputs. The lighting systems may comprise lighting fixtures with dimmable light sources and controllers in electrical communication with the light sources. The controllers may determine dimming states of the light sources based on group inputs and local inputs indicative of light levels, occupancy statuses, and environmental conditions near the lighting fixtures.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A lighting fixture, comprising:
 a light source; 
 a first input electrically connectable to a first sensor providing first sensor values, the first sensor being one of:
 a daylight sensor wherein the first sensor values are indicative of light levels near the lighting fixture, 
 an occupancy sensor wherein the first status values are indicative of occupancy status near the lighting fixture, and 
 an environmental sensor wherein the first status values are indicative of environmental conditions near the lighting fixture; 
 
 a second input electrically connectable to a group lighting controller output; 
 a memory; 
 a lighting controller controlling the dimming state of the light source; the lighting controller operable to execute instructions, stored in the memory, including instructions to perform the operations of:
 receiving local input via the first input, the local input indicative of the sensor values; 
 receiving group input via the second input, the group input indicative of the group lighting controller output, wherein the group lighting controller output utilizes phase cutting to indicate a dimming level to control the dimming state of the lighting fixture and at least one additional lighting fixture; and 
 determining the dimming state of the light source based on the group input and the local input. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The lighting fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the lighting fixture includes the daylight sensor and wherein the group lighting controller output is responsive to a group occupancy sensor. 
     
     
       3. The lighting fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the lighting fixture includes the occupancy sensor and wherein the group lighting controller output is responsive to a group daylight sensor. 
     
     
       4. The lighting fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the local input consists of the sensor values. 
     
     
       5. The lighting fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the memory includes an expected lux level for the lighting fixture. 
     
     
       6. The lighting fixture of  claim 5 , wherein the lighting controller utilizes the expected lux level in auto-calibration of the lighting fixture. 
     
     
       7. The lighting fixture of  claim 5 , wherein the expected lux level is adjustable via late stage configuration of the lighting controller. 
     
     
       8. The lighting fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the lighting controller controls the dimming state of the light source based on the local input when the local input is indicative of a dimming level that produces less light from the light source than the dimming level indicated by the group input. 
     
     
       9. The lighting fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the lighting controller controls the dimming state of the light source based on the local input when the local input is indicative of a dimming level that produces more light from the light source than the dimming level indicated by the group input. 
     
     
       10. The lighting fixture of  claim 9 , wherein the lighting fixture is an architectural lighting fixture. 
     
     
       11. The lighting fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the lighting fixture includes the daylight sensor and is operable in an auto-calibration state, wherein the lighting controller maintains the dimming state of the light source at an auto-calibration level and determines a desired light level near the lighting fixture during the auto-calibration state, and wherein the desired light level is utilized in the determination of the dimming state of the lighting fixture. 
     
     
       12. The lighting fixture of  claim 11 , wherein during the auto-calibration state, the lighting controller determines a minimum local input value from the local input over a time period and determines the desired light level based on the minimum local input value, the minimum local input value indicative of a minimum light level indicated by the sensor values. 
     
     
       13. The lighting fixture of  claim 12 , wherein said time period is at least twelve hours. 
     
     
       14. The lighting fixture of  claim 12 , wherein said time period is at least twenty-four hours. 
     
     
       15. The lighting fixture of  claim 11 , wherein during the auto-calibration state, the lighting controller determines a first local input value from the local input at one or more times likely to have no natural light and determines the desired light level based on the first local input value. 
     
     
       16. The lighting fixture of  claim 11 , wherein said auto-calibration level is a full light output level. 
     
     
       17. The lighting fixture of  claim 11 , wherein said auto-calibration level is a reduced light output level. 
     
     
       18. The lighting fixture of  claim 17 , wherein the lighting controller determines the reduced light output level and provides the reduced light output level to the daylight sensor. 
     
     
       19. The lighting fixture of  claim 17 , wherein the lighting sensor autonomously determines the reduced light output level. 
     
     
       20. The lighting fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the group input is provided over mains wiring supplying power to the lighting fixture. 
     
     
       21. A lighting system comprising:
 a first lighting fixture having a dimmable first light source; 
 a first controller in electrical communication with said first light source, wherein said first controller:
 receives first local input, the first local input indicative of one of light levels near the first lighting fixture, occupancy status near the first lighting fixture, and environmental conditions near the first lighting fixture, 
 receives group input indicating a dimming level, and 
 determines the dimming state of a first light source of the first lighting fixture based on the group input and the first local input; 
 
 a second lighting fixture having a dimmable second light source; and 
 a second controller in electrical communication with said second light source, wherein said second controller:
 receives second local input, the second local input indicative of one of light levels near the second lighting fixture, occupancy status near the second lighting fixture, and environmental conditions near the second lighting fixture, 
 receives the group input at the second lighting fixture, and 
 determines the dimming state of a second light source of the second lighting fixture based on the group input and the second local input.